(Last updated February 22, 2006)

High Level Overview: Background includes 15+ years product management, product marketing, business development and marketing experience with Cable TV, Satellite, VOD, Interactive TV, DVRs, HSD and IPGs. Organizations range from pre-funded start ups to Fortune-50 corporations and include both B-to-C and B-to-B. Companies include top MSO service providers (Comcast/AT&T Broadband), competitve triple-play service providers (Seren Innovations), content networks (Chaos Media Networks) and platform technology providers (Prediwave, On Command). 

2005-2006: Independent Consultant - www.rogertowne.com
Description/Location: Independent consulting services offered to a variety of individuals, corporations and multinationals.
Core Responsibilities: Develop product strategy, write executive reports, provide core analysis.
Key Duties:
Duties encompass , product strategy, market research, positioning and messaging, for VOD, DVR, IPG, ITV, cable, satellite and telco services and technologies.
* Product management and product marketing services
* Competitive, market, trend and technology analysis
* Providing research, market sizing, segmentation, profiling services
* Developing business and market strategy recommendations
* Managing cross functional teams where applicable
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Providing demos and presentations to executives and/or customers
* Analyzing feature/cost trade-offs
* Creating competitive, messaging and positioning strategies
* Writing analysis reports, white papers, developing collateral
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See my Independent Consulting accomplishments here

2005: Product Marketing Manager - Digeo Inc - www.digeo.com
Description/Location: Manufactures and develops Moxi DVR set-top box, reference design, advanced GUI, and applications including VOD, DVR, ITV, IPG, Jukebox, Photo Viewer and TV Phone Messaging; Kirkland, WA.
Reported to: Director of Product Management
Core Responsibilities: To develop and recommend short/long term product and marketing strategies for Moxi VOD, IPG and DVR services.
Key Duties:

* Spearhead company's interaction with MSO's in an effort to develop short and long term vision for Moxi's VOD services
* Lead the strategic planning for new VOD product features by compiling internal and external requirements.
* Conduct market, trend and competitive analyses for the VOD, DVR, IPG and On-Demand advertising spaces
* Develop detailed Market Requirement Document and Feature Specifications Document
* Partner with program manager to manage cross functional VOD development team
* Analyze requirements against organizational resources and feature tradeoffs
* Prioritize product features to be consistent with MSO strategies and best in class viewer experience
* Provide direction for product positioning, messaging and competitive strategy
* Evangelize product and product features/benefits across internal and external audiences
* Conduct customer presentations and demos for top cable companies
*
See accomplishments for Digeo here

2004-2005: Product Marketing Manager - PrediWave Inc - www.prediwave.com
Description/Location: End to end system digital broadcast platform provider enabling advanced one-way Video On Demand, Interactive TV, Shopping and Digital Video Recording applications; Fremont, CA.
Reported to: Director of Engineering.
Core Responsibilities: To define and manage product features and development strategies for video broadcast platform and VOD, ITV, DVR, Interactive Shopping and Set-top Box applications.
Key Duties:

* Lead company efforts to develop profitable product lines by driving product roadmaps and long term vision
* Participate in the strategic planning processes to develop go-to market and product deliver goals
* Oversee market research projects, develop recommendations in support of broader business and market strategy
* Develop detailed Product Requirement and Market Requirement Documents
* Manage cross functional teams to complete product updates and new feature sets
* Monitor technology trends, follow market activity, conduct competitive analysis, formulate business strategies
* Analyze customer requirements with feature/cost trade-offs and organizational resources
* Prioritize product features/functionalities to be in concert with core business strategy
* Define product messaging strategy for collateral, presentations, datasheets, sales guides, website and demos
* Create product positioning, value proposition and competitive statements
* Serve as a product expert to articulate product features/benefits & value proposition with outward facing functions
* Review integration opportunities with complimentary technologies
* Prepare product white papers
* Evangelize product line at tradeshows, customer briefings and demos
*
See accomplishments for PrediWave here

2004: Senior Business Development Manager - Chaos Media Networks - www.chaosmedianetworks.com
Description/Location: Next generation Video On Demand content network combining exclusive programming with unique Interactive TV capabilities; stealth mode start-up in series-A venture capital funding. Santa Clara, CA.
Reported to: Vice President of Programming.
Core Responsibilities: Develop strategic partnerships with technology vendors in the VOD, Interactive TV and Cable TV integration space and identify, negotiate and manage content relationships for the company's network operations.
Key Duties:

* Engage in discovery meetings with customers and partners to lay foundation for new product plans
* Analyze competitive activities and market forces to identify and define company challenges and opportunities
* Direct the solution planning efforts to drive strategic partnerships
* Analyze partnership opportunities and explore synergies with complimentary technologies
* Support pre-sales activities including quotations and business assessments
* Gather market requirements, prioritize product features/functionalities, define customer strategy and market positioning
* Promote existing products and strategies to drive sales and achieve revenue goals
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Manage ongoing partner, vendor and programming relationships
* Clearly communicate company's vision and unique product benefits to a varied set of audiences
* Participate in the development of product positioning, value proposition and competitive statements
* Provide direction for marketing plans including SWOT assessment and positional strategies
* Attend customer visits to build market and customer knowledge and assist in Product Marketing as needed
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Review market size, scope, growth rates, technology trends, and market implications as needed
* Mine content and programming sources from trade resources, industry partners and market research
* See accomplishments for Chaos Media Networks here

2001-03: Product Marketing Manager - Epigraphx
Description/Location: eCommunications Service Bureau specializing in video and streaming media, Fax-On-Demand, Interactive eNewsletters, permission-based email marketing campaigns and full service e-CRM marketing solutions; servicing accounts such as Volvo, Mercury Interactive, Apple Computer; Club Med, AutoNation; San Carlos, CA.
Reported to: Chief Technology Officer.
Core Responsibilities: Drive product development strategy to enhance partner satisfaction, retention and revenue while identifying ways to further improve existing products and develop new services.
Key Duties:

* Serve as an integral role in conceptualizing new products, features and marketing strategies
* Organize broad concepts and business strategies into structured product marketing plans
* Participate in the strategic planning processes to develop product/market goals
* Review market size, scope, hot buttons, growth rates, technology trends, segmentation and geographic implications
* Mine data from customers, competitors, trade sources, industry partners and market research
* Analyze partnership opportunities and explore synergies with complimentary technologies
* Conduct competitive analysis, market sizing, budget/forecast, cost/benefit study
* Gather product requirements, prioritize product features/functionalities, define customer strategy and market positioning
* Compile detailed Market Requirement Documents
* Complete product definition phases and product life cycle planning
* Direct cross-functional team to drive all aspects of product development
* Define pricing, packaging and messaging strategies
* Develop product positioning, value proposition and competitive statements
* Provide direction for marketing plans including SWOT assessment, customer segmentation, promotional strategies
* Manage product introduction to the market including launch tactics, training, development of sales & promotional material
* Attend customer visits to build market and customer knowledge and assist in developing RFP responses
* Serve as a product evangelist to educate sales, partners & customers about product features/benefits & value proposition
* Support and maintain direct touch with strategic post-sales customers and channel partners
*
See accomplishments for Epigraphx here

1999-2001: Product Manager: Video On Demand / Interactive TV - Seren Innovations - www.astound.net
Description/Location: Cable TV, HSD and Telephony Broadband Service Provider under the Astound Broadband brand; subsidiary of Excel Energy Corp., headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, with operations in St Cloud MN and Concord, CA.
Reported to: Director of Products and Services.
Core Responsibilities: Drive the advanced Digital TV product strategy and manage the development and launch of Video On Demand and Interactive TV products in order to increase acquisition, retention and average revenue per unit (ARPU).
Key Duties:
* Collect market intelligence, conduct market research, analyze & distill feedback into thorough market requirements (MRD)
*
Develop business case (Capex, ROI, etc) and outline project profitability and cost/benefit trade-offs to senior management
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Work directly with integration partners to understand emerging requirements and feasibility to build products

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Complete product definition phase and specify detailed product requirements (PRD)
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Create product development and launch schedule with engineering, operations, internal teams and vendors/partners
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Drive solution set across development teams, vendors and partners
* Program manage cross functional team, chair weekly progress meetings and track all deliverables
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Provide team leadership, consensus building and collaborative planning throughout the product development process
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Create product positioning strategies and pricing/packaging models for defined market segments
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Manage ongoing market study, competitive analysis, customer segmentation techniques
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Identify additional product opportunities and analyze potential partnerships
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Collaborate with Marketing on strategic plans
* Evangelize product positioning, messages, feature/benefit sets and value propositions to all key audiences
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Train operations, customer service groups, field sales, technicians and other group
s
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Coordinate timing of press releases and ensure proper product perception

* See accomplishments for Seren Innovations here

1997-99: Division Media Coordinator - Comcast/AT&T Broadband Western Division - comcast.com - (acquired by Comcast)
Description/Location: Cable TV, HSD and Telephony provider; 5th largest Cable TV market in US serving 1.7M subscribers San Ramon; CA
Reported to: Director of Acquisition Marketing.
Core Responsibilities:
Manage all facets of the San Francisco Bay Division media function, including the $2,300,000 yearly media function which drives marketing plans, penetration strategies and revenue generating units (RGUs).
Key Duties:

*
Develop marketing messaging and media campaigns with Marketing Directors for AT&T product portfolio
* F
acilitate all consumer messaging strategy, timing and execution
* Direct
advertising agencies and internal marketing processes to execute media plans
* S
upervise compliance of all marketing communications to ensure consistent brand identity and quality executions
* E
valuate strategy effectiveness and recommending messaging, positioning and tactical guidance
* Design broadcast TV and cross channel spots tailored to Division needs
* Develop
segmentation and targeted marketing campaigns to increase cost-effectiveness
* Coordinate media plans for new TV network and product launches
* P
lan publicity events, large scale promotions and free preview events with Directors
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Manage TV Guide function across Division and serve as Division spokesman with Gemstar-TV Guide
* Direct
$11,000,000 cross channel inventory spanning 27 head ends and 77 communities
* S
chedule, manage and tag 540+ cross channel spots per month
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Ensure 100% accuracy in all forms of customer communication
* S
erve as liaison with Engineering and Operations functions for project implementation
* Crisis management and contingency planning as needed
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Ensure Division media function priorities reflect Field needs and competitive marketplace environment
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Perform field presentations and trainings on marketing intiatives, campaigns and strategies
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See accomplishments for AT&T Broadband here


1995-97: PPV Regional Marketing Coordinator - AT&T Broadband (formerly TCI)
Description/Location: San Jose Region
Reported to: Regional Marketing Director.
Core Responsibilities: Manage PPV and IPG product lines in San Jose region serving 600,000 subscribers and 200,000 addressables.
Key Duties:

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Pay-Per-View P&L and yearly budgeting revenue/expense planning
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Manage 4 direct report CSRs responsible for greeting new PPV customers and troubleshooting problems
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Create effective marketing strategies to meet and exceed budgeted revenue goals
* D
evelop effective TV, radio, newspaper and direct mail campaigns and improve product messaging
* Manage
agency activities and AT&T media services relations
* S
chedule, tag and coordinate weekly cross channel spots for regional product portfolio and initiatives
* E
xecute soft and hard launch tactics for Digital Cable and High Speed Data market introductions
* D
esign promotions, tie-ins and publicity events with partner networks and regional businesses
* C
oordinate executables with operations, sales, customer service and engineering groups
* O
perational communications, presentations and field support
* Train and manage staff of four PPV service representatives welcoming and troubleshooting for PPV customers


1993-95: Video On Demand Regional Field Services Coordinator - On Command Corporation - www.oncommand.com
Description/Location: In-room entertainment services provider for the hospitality industry, offering Video On Demand, Interactive services and Hi Speed Internet systems, headquartered in Denver, CO, with operations in San Jose, CA.
Reported to: Western Regional Manager.
Core Responsibilities: Coordinate field operations for Western Region consisting of 125 hotels and 13 field engineers spanning 5 US states.
Key Duties:

*
Coordinate daily and weekly support activities of 13 field engineers
* Analyze hotel property activity reports for revenue and operational performance
* Crisis management, including critical level support
* R
esearch and resolve account issues with engineering, contracts and operations groups
* Work with internal departments to
improve resolution processes
* Partner with Regional Manager to develop
enhanced services to address hotel needs
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Provide account management and support duties for Hotel GMs and staff
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Create improved training techniques for hotel staffs
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See accomplishments for On Command Corp here


1992-93: Interactive TV Marketing Programs Analyst - Interactive Network - www.twowaytvus.com (merged w/Two Way TV)
Description/Location: Early pioneer of first live interactive TV entertainment product, Mountain View, CA.
Reported to: Marketing Programs Manager.
Core Responsibilities: Analyze quantitative research projects, customer activities and product performances in order to identify trends, potential marketing messages and new interactive programming opportunities.
Key Duties:

*
Coordinate market research
* C
onduct analysis on qualitative and quantitative results
* Write presentation reports with findings and results
* Develop
new campaign messages with marketing managers
* Coordinate additional marketing program
s
*
See accomplishments for Interactive Network here

1991-92: ITV Retail Account Manager - Interactive Network
Description/Location: Mountain View, CA
Reported to: Sales Director.
Core Responsibilities: Manage retail territory launch in Bay area and establish retail presence in Macy's, Circuit City, Sears, Montgomery Wards and similar retail chains in San Francisco Bay area.
Key Duties:

* Develop retail sales channel through nurturing and managing account relations

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Manage operations for NFL and MLB promotional and demo events at Candlestick & Oakland Coliseum parks
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Train retail sales staff on product features, benefits and sales techniques
* D
evelop retail sales events with Circuit City, Macy's, Sears, Montgomery Wards
* C
reate sales promotions and incentive programs
* Meet targeted sales goals
* Train and manage staff of four product demonstrators

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